Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music journalist and author Barry Walters about his new book Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music 1969-2000. They discuss how gay artists, industry execs and audiences changed mainstream music. They also chat about artists like R.E.M., Pet Shop Boys, Donna Summer and more.
To celebrate Pride Month, Sound Opinions is dedicating the whole episode this week to an interview with Barry Walters, a gay music journalist who just published his history of LGBTQ music. Jim, Greg and Barry discuss R.E.M., Pet Shop Boys, Donna Summer and more.
Featured Songs:
David Bowie, "Rebel Rebel," Diamond Dogs, RCA, 1974
The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967
Sylvester, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," Step II, Fantasy, 1978
Pet Shop Boys, "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," Please, Parlophone, 1986
Gang of Four, "Call Me Up," Songs of the Free, EMI, 1982
Prince, "Controversy," Controversy, Warner Bros., 1981
Grace Jones, "Warm Leatherette," Warm Leatherette, Island, 1980
Laura Nyro, "Stoned Soul Picnic," Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, Columbia, 1968
Donna Summer, "Queen For a Day," Once Upon a Time, Casablanca, 1977
Indigo Girls, "Closer to Fine," Indigo Girls, Epic, 1989
Michael Jackson, "Childhood," HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Epic, 1995
The Smiths, "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," The Queen Is Dead, Rough Trade, 1986
David Bowie, "Space Oddity," David Bowie, Philips, 1969
Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Relax," Welcome to the Pleasuredome, ZTT, 1984
Robyn, "Blow My Mind," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026
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